The chicken shacks and pizza joints that dot Newark’s
neighborhoods may be adding armed guards to their
night shifts.
In a proposal on Thursday's city council agenda, South
Ward Councilman Ras Baraka wants to mandate that
eateries open after 9 p.m. hire an armed security guard for
the evening hours.
"Most of these stores provide security for themselves but
not for the customers they bring in," Baraka said referring
to the thick bulletproof glass and surveillance cameras
common in the eateries. "The idea is to make everyone
responsible."
As of now, the ordinance would affect only those places
that serve under 20 people. Larger, sit-down restaurants
would not be affected. The restaurants Baraka is targeting,
"are not even suitable to sit down and enjoy a meal," he
said.
